Broken Together (51 page)

Lexie
helped me step into the dress, but she stopped just short of my stomach. Her
eyes flew to mine.

I
laughed at the astonished look on her face. “Surprise!”

The
dress fell to the floor as Lexie rose. “You’re pregnant?”

“Nineteen
and a half weeks,” I confirmed.

She
flung her arms around me. “Kri! I’m so happy for you!” Abruptly, she held me at
arm’s length. “Are you okay? Is the baby okay? I mean, everything is going to
be okay, right?”

I
laughed. “The baby is fine. We just want to wait on the announcement until I’m
a little further along.”

Her
eyes darkened. “I’m going to kick that man’s ass. He should have married you
the second he learned you were pregnant.”

“He
did,” I assured her. “We were married in a civil ceremony shortly after we
discovered I was pregnant.”

Her
arms folded across her chest. “Why am I just now hearing this?”

I
bent down to retrieve my dress. “We’ve only been married a few weeks. I know I
should have told you, but it’s been a little crazy between Maxim’s election,
graduation, and the wedding.”

She
turned me around so she could untangle the pearls draped across my back. “I
don’t care how busy you are. That would have required a five minute phone
call.”

“Yeah,
right.” I fastened the sandals before stepping out from behind the privacy
screen. I stood in front of the mirror. “Do you think this is too revealing?”

She
eyed me critically. “I can barely see your tummy, and that’s just because I’m
looking for it. Honestly, I doubt anyone will notice. They’ll be too busy
gaping at that neckline and the back of your dress.”

I
laughed. “That’s the part I was worried about.”

Her
eyebrows shot up. “Oh! In that case, I think you’re fine. The dress is a little
steamy, but it’s also very romantic. You look stunning, Kri.”

Cenia
rapped on the door. “We just received the ten minute warning, so we’re going to
head down the trail. Your bouquets are on the table right outside the door.”

“Thanks!”
I gave Lexie another hug. “Shall we?”

She
linked her arm in mine. “Absolutely.”

My
breath caught when I saw my bouquet. Carefully, I brought the breathtaking
display of white calla lilies, deep purple roses, lavender, and white wisteria
to my nose. “This smells heavenly.”

“Mmmm,”
Lexie agreed. Her eyes were barely visible above her bouquet.

“When
did I start enjoying flowers?” I wondered aloud.

Lexie
peeked through the main door while I gathered my train. “All clear.”

Our
heels clicked against the stone terrace and the short flight of stairs leading into
the gardens. Thankfully, the trail was hidden behind bushes and trees. Although
we couldn’t see anything beyond the trail, we could hear the string quartet
playing Bach’s “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.” The rest of my bridesmaids would
be waiting at the fork in the trail until they began playing Pachelbel’s “Canon
in D.” That was their cue to walk down the aisle.

I
glanced up at the sky. The clouds glowed deep purple and orange in the early
morning dawn, but the landscape was still dark. I could make out the shapes of
bushes and trees, but the flowers would remain hidden until the sun crept over
the hillside. The lush forest surrounding the palace grounds smelled fresh and
earthy. A few rambunctious birds chirped over the music.

The
deep, rich tones of the cello wafted through the trees. A violin followed, then
another, and finally the viola. Pachelbel’s “Canon in D” evoked so much
longing, I stopped walking. “It’s time.” Suddenly, it didn’t matter that Rafael
and I were already married. My heart raced, and my nerves scattered.

“I
love you, Cuz.” Lexie maneuvered her way around my bouquet so she could give me
a hug. She hurried around the bend, so she could watch the other girls walk
down the aisle. She reappeared a few seconds later. “Two down, three to go.
Will you be okay, standing here alone?”

I
inched closer until a large shrub was the only thing blocking me from view. “I’ll
be fine. Rafael has men patrolling the palace grounds.”

She
nodded her approval before joining the other women.

I
took a deep breath and blew it out. Still, my heart raced.
Why was I so
nervous?
“We’re already married,” I scolded myself. That didn’t help.

I
peered around the bush. A light smattering of fresh lavender and deep purple
rose petals dusted the runner beneath Lexie’s feet. While soft, the palace
lights illuminated the terrace where everyone was sitting. My eyes widened when
I saw all of the people. Rafael, Father Ramires, our groomsmen, and bridesmaids
stood waiting for me.
How could this fairytale wedding belong to me?

I
shrank back behind the bush.
Why did I insist on walking alone?
This
wasn’t a small courtyard filled with strangers. This was nearly everyone I knew
and a bunch of people from the police force. Within seconds, they would be
watching me walk down that aisle. They would be listening while I spoke my vows
and declared my love for Rafael.

The
baby kicked right where my hand rested with the bouquet. I dropped the train. Ever
so slowly, a smile replaced the stunned look on my face. That was an honest to
goodness kick… the first kick I’d ever felt. I couldn’t wait to share the news
with Rafael. “Okay, little guy, walk me down the aisle.”

I
took a deep breath before straightening my train. I pressed my hands against my
stomach behind my bouquet. Slowly, but surely, I stepped into the clearing. My
feet stalled when everyone stood, so I took another deep breath and fixed my
eyes on Rafael. The music carried me the rest of the way.

With
a tender smile, Rafael offered me his hand. He bowed slightly as he brought my
fingers to his lips. “You have stolen my heart all over again.”

I
cupped his face in my hand. “As you have stolen mine.”

Father
Ramires waited for the string quartet to finish playing Pachelbel’s “Canon in
D.” “Dearly beloved, we have gathered here today to witness and celebrate the
joining of Rafael Tiago Garcia and Kristine Annabelle Stone in marriage.” His warm
brown eyes sought ours. “I ask you to state your intentions for the sacrament
of holy matrimony.”

Rafael
spoke first. “I, Rafael Tiago Garcia, come here freely and without reservation
to join Kristine Annabelle Stone in holy matrimony. I promise to love, honor,
and cherish her all the days of my life.”

Father
Ramires smiled.

I
took a deep breath before reciting the lines we’d been asked to memorize. “I,
Kristine Annabelle Stone, come here freely and without reservation to join
Rafael Tiago Garcia in holy matrimony. I promise to love, honor, and cherish
him all the days of my life.”

“Will
you accept children as gifts from God and raise them according to the laws of his
church?”

Rafael
and I grinned at one another. “I will.”

 He
nodded his approval. “Let us pray.”

Rafael
and I knelt on the padded kneeler.

Father
Ramires rested a hand on each of our shoulders. “Heavenly Father, Rafael and
Kristine have declared their intentions to enter into holy matrimony. Their
lives reflect your love in countless ways, from the love you rain down on them,
from the family and friends who surround them, through the love and compassion
they’ve shown others, and the love that has long been reflected in their
relationship. On this glorious morning, I lift them up unto you, so that you
may strengthen their love for one another, for you, and for others. Allow your
love to shine through them today and always. I pray this in the name of the
Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit; who live and reign as one God forever
and ever.”

“Amen,”
we replied.

Rafael
offered me his hand as we stood.

Father
Ramires reached for his Bible. “Our meetings over the past few months have shed
some light on the hardships you have faced, your character, your faith, and
your relationship. After some reflection and prayerful consideration, I have
chosen three scripture readings that should prove especially meaningful to you.”
He opened his Bible. “First, from the Old Testament,
Ecclesiastes
4:9-12: ‘Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their
toil. For if they fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone
and falls and does not have another to help. Again, if two lie together, they
keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone? And though one might prevail against
another, two will withstand one. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.’ This
is the word of the Lord.”

“Thanks
be to God,” we replied. Our guests offered the same, customary response.

Father
Ramires sought another page in his Bible. “And now a reading from the New
Testament,
Colossians 3:12-14: ‘
As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with
compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another
and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the
Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves
with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.’ This is the
word of the Lord.”

“Thanks
be to God,” we replied once more.

Purple
clouds gave way to orange as the sun peeked behind the palace.

Father
Ramires sought one final bookmark. “The Holy Gospel reading from John
15:12-17:
‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one
has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are
my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer,
because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called
you friends because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from
my Father. You did not choose me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go
and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever
you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one
another.’ This is the Gospel of the Lord.”

“Praise
to you, Lord Jesus Christ,” rang through the garden.

Father
Ramires set his Bible on the small table to his left.
“Through
the sacrament of marriage you become a conduit for God’s love. His love flows
through you, strengthening your union, your family and friends, the communities
where you reside, and all of the other lives you touch. And so, this marriage
is not just about you. You have been called to serve others. This is a
responsibility you regularly embrace, but it can feel overwhelming at times. There
will be times when you question whether you have anything left to give. The
good news is this… like all sacraments, this sacrament brings grace. God’s
grace will strengthen your ability to give and receive love. By reserving a
place for him in your relationship you will strengthen your ability to love and
care for one another and for others.” He smiled. “Rafael and Kristine, you have
declared your intention to enter into holy matrimony. Please face your beloved
and join hands while you declare your consent.”

I
handed Lexie my bouquet so I could place my chilly fingers in Rafael’s warm
hands. My heart stalled the moment our eyes met. I fell into his eyes and saw
Rafael for the very first time… the devastatingly handsome man, the archangel
with healing powers, the gallant knight, the passionate lover, and the doting
husband who was on the cusp of becoming a father. In that moment, I fell
hopelessly and irrevocably in love with him. So powerful were the feelings that
evoked that I nearly collapsed.

A
well-muscled arm locked around my back. Rafael dragged me to his chest. His
right hand still clenched my left. “I, Rafael Tiago Garcia, take you, Kristine
Annabelle Stone, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for
better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love
and to cherish through life and in death.”

His
heart thundered against my chest. Our breath mingled, our lips mere inches
apart, as he awaited my response. I stared, thoroughly transfixed by the
passion burning in his eyes. Breathlessly, I offered the same solemn vow. “I,
Kristine Annabelle Stone, take you, Rafael Tiago Garcia, to be my husband, to
have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer,
for poorer, in sickness and in health to love and to cherish through life and
in death.”

He
lowered his lips to mine. The garden glowed in the early morning light while
our souls entwined.

“You
have declared your consent before God and these witnesses. What God has joined,
let no man separate,” Father Ramires announced loudly.

Rafael
froze just before our lips met. My cheeks flushed red. I’d forgotten Father
Ramires was there, not to mention our guests.

“May
I have the rings?” Father Ramires continued.

Benjamim
held our wedding bands in the palm of his hand.